Monday, April 2, 2012

In addition to holding Drew Pomeranz off the roster until he's needed on April 15, the Rockies will also hold Jamie Moyer off the opening day roster but will activate him prior to Saturday's game in Houston. That affords Jim Tracy some position player depth in case the opener goes extras and even if Troy Tulowitzki's elbow is still barking.

Most surprising name on the roster: Tyler Chatwood

I didn't see this coming, but it actually makes sense to have Chatwood around early in the season when the starters may not go as deep into the game. He's the type of guy that can give 2-3 innings at a moment's notice, so that's a nice option for Jim Tracy. That said, he'll probably be the pitcher that goes down once Moyer and Pomeranz come up and the roster is set because he needs the most seasoning and doesn't project as a reliever.

Most surprising name missing: Edgmer Escalona

The only thing Escalona had going against him this spring was the option remaining on his contract. Well, that, and a rough outing today that included beaning Jesus Montero (awful timing). Yeah, overall it was a tough day for Edgmer, but he'll be back in the big leagues soon enough you can bet on that.

Manager Jim Tracy elected to take the Jim Tracy road. A road that all too often leads to nowhere.

Here's what he said via the hard-working Rockies beat writers over at the Denver Post.

“It’s the most gutless act I have seen in 35 years of professional baseball. I have lost all respect for him. To do something like that and walk down off the mound, and if there’s any suggestion whatsoever that the ball got away, I don’t want to hear any of that (expletive). He intentionally threw at him. He should be suspended. I am going to be very disappointed if he doesn’t get suspended. He deserves to be,” Tracy said, his voice rising in anger.

I don't how good his 400+ foot home run off Ubaldo Jimenez felt to him personally (probably pretty good), but it damn sure felt great to Rockies fans. Colvin would later add a second home run and two additional hits, finishing the day at 4-for-5 with six RBI.

Welcome to the big club, Tyler Colvin. Happy to have you.

Chris Nelson

Speaking of making the big club and homering off Jimenez, Chris Nelson also belongs to this club. His fourth inning two-run shot tied the game momentarily. He later added an RBI double giving him three on the day.

Josh Roenicke

Two more scoreless innings lowers his spring ERA to 0.79. That would be good enough to make the 1990 Cincinnati Reds bullpen, so I'm pretty sure it'll get him on the 2012 Rockies. Especially if they go eight deep initially in the 'pen.